Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 10 June 2024
Continuing its mission to serve society, Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi (PBGKR) celebrated World Environment Day 2024 at Bageecha with the children of Pranab Kanya Sangha and volunteers of Bageecha this Sunday. The event emphasised the importance of nurturing nature alongside community service.
The celebration was highlighted by the planting of a Chiku sapling within the Bageecha premises. Unlike a mass plantation drive, this symbolic act aimed to teach attendees the importance of plant care and commitment. Participants vowed to adopt the plant and ensure its health and growth.
The event began with a Pranayam session led by Yogacharya Shivani Singhkapath, followed by an interactive session on nature conservation conducted by Ms. Nazima Parveen. The children engaged in drawing and painting activities, expressing their thoughts on nature conservation through art. They also took selfies with the state animal of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Dugong.
Mr. Denis Giles of Bageecha guided the children in planting the sapling, explaining the responsibilities of plant care and adoption. The celebration concluded with a lunch sponsored by Mrs. Kanak Radha Chatterjee, who volunteered at the event.
Mr. Mandeep Grewal, President of PBGKR, highlighted the significance of individual responsibility in environmental conservation. “We all wish to conserve our mother nature. Often, mass tree plantation drives result in unattended saplings that do not survive. This time, we decided to adopt a single sapling, planting it as a symbol of our love and affection towards nature. It is our collective responsibility to ensure it remains healthy and thriving,” he stated.
Grewal’s message for the day emphasised starting small but meaningful actions as responsible citizens and nurturing them to grow.
Other volunteers who facilitated the event included Mr. Sharma, Miss M. Shivani, Mrs. Mitha Biswas, and Mr. Ashish.